Murder Stalks Read Online Free PDF Page B

done to Angela Longfellow.
    How many slack-jawed yokels knew that
epithelial cells hid under fingernails? Even when the suspect used
a pick to pull out most of the tissue, the victim usually dug down
so hard that the suspect’s skin cells pushed way back to where the
finger met the nail. No, Tony was sure of it, their suspect was
educated, not a half drunk, disorganized shell of a man, but a
person who dealt in power.
    “ Jack, can you give a
description of the shady character?”
    “ Uh, I don’t recall what
he looked like. Could have been the mail delivery guy. He’s a
strange one, always curls his nose up when he comes in here, like
this place ain’t good ‘nuf for him.”
    “ If you remember anything
about the person who was here last week please call the station and
they’ll draw up a profile. You didn’t answer my question,” Tony
said tolerantly, not believing Jack had seen a mysterious person.
He didn’t want to be patient with this guy. Anger still slid
through his veins. His run-in with Sally affected him more than he
wanted to admit.
    “ What question was
that?”
    “ Were you here yesterday?”
Tony asked again, purposely keeping his voice low and
even.
    “ Hmmm, no I was at my lady
friend’s house. She kept me a’busy all weekend long, know what I
mean?” The manager laughed a bawdy cackle. His mouth hung open,
revealing his half rotten teeth. Tony’s stomach turned at the
mental images of Jack the manager with his lady friend.
    “ Thank you, Jack.” Tony
stared at the mess surrounding him. He hated asking but there was
no way he could get around it, procedure called for him to
investigate this man because he had access to the victim’s
apartment. “Could you supply me with her name and number? I need to
confirm your story.”
    “ Cool, I’m a suspected
person in a murder case. Do ya need to take me downtown for
questioning? Cause it will only take a minute to tidy up here ‘fore
I lock up.”
    “ No, that’s not
necessary.” Tony wanted to groan out loud. There was no way this
knuckle dragger could be the killer. He didn’t have the discipline
needed for such a clean operation.
    A knock sounded on the door behind Tony. He
turned and saw Michael Rains peeking through the opening.
    “ Detective Santos, I found
the laundry room. I thought you might want to see.”
    “ Thank you, Officer
Rains.” Tony turned back to the manager, glad to have an excuse to
leave, “I’ll be in contact with you if I have more
questions.”
    “ Sure, anytime, day or
night. You need something, just call good ’ole Jack.”
    Tony followed Michael down the walkway to
the back of the complex. The door to the laundry room was only
twenty feet away from Ms. Longfellow’s apartment and a row of full
bushes hid the entrance from the parking lot.
    Tony stepped through the doorway and found
that, unlike the manager’s office, this room was clean, almost too
clean. The dust that normally filled a room full of lint spewing
dryers had been wiped from every surface. Someone had taken a lot
of time to clean the laundry room. Who would go to such
lengths?
    “ Rains, get Officer Owens
in here and check this room for prints.”
    “ Yes sir.”
     
    ****
     
    From across the street he could see the
beads of sweat dotting the face of Detective Tony Santos. Hours had
been spent processing the scene. Most of the police officers were
gone, only a few stragglers milled around the apartment parking
lot. He almost giggled like a little girl when Santos rubbed his
face with one broad palm. The stress was already showing, just as
he hoped it would.
    The police officers were like little
children on a treasure hunt. The only problem was he had left no
treasure behind for them to collect. They would go home
unfulfilled, with empty evidence bags and no leads.
    A gush of power surged up his torso, causing
his throat to constrict. His taste buds tingled and his head
buzzed. Power tasted so sweet on his tongue. The knowledge that